The KUSP Land Use Report #10: Housing Numbers

"Listen Live"

This is Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County, with a Land Use Report for KUSP.

Land use policies are generally set locally. But where housing policies are concerned, the state has a lot to say. In a letter dated August 13th, the State Department of Housing and Community Development says that Monterey and Santa Cruz counties must make plans to accommodate at least 23,130 new housing units between now and June 2007. That’s more than 3,800 housing units each year. Although Santa Cruz County is the smallest county in the state, and Monterey County one of the largest, the state says Santa Cruz County should absorb 13,318 units, and Monterey County 9,812.

These state housing numbers have set the stage for a confrontation. That’s not unprecedented. Local officials think local conditions—like water shortages—need to be taken into account. The state says, "that’s your problem." The state’s problem is to "parcel out" expected state growth, and our local share will be 23,130 new units—and that’s that.

Over the next year, every local government in Monterey and Santa Cruz County will have to modify the Housing Element in its General Plan. As the cities and counties do that, every interested local resident will have a chance to become personally involved. Now is the time to make housing policy a top priority!

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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